Back & Neck Pain Spinal Conditions Levoscoliosis and Dextroscoliosis Scoliosis Directions By Anne Asher, CPT Anne Asher, CPT Facebook LinkedIn Anne Asher, ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach, and orthopedic exercise specialist, is a back and neck pain expert. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 21, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT LinkedIn Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist with experience in hospital-based acute care and outpatient therapy with both children and adults. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Angela Underwood Fact checked by Angela Underwood LinkedIn Angela Underwood's extensive local, state, and federal healthcare and environmental news coverage includes 911 first-responder compensation policy to the Ciba-Geigy water contamination case in Toms River, NJ. Her additional health-related coverage includes death and dying, skin care, and autism spectrum disorder. Learn about our editorial process Print Scoliosis is a type of spinal deformity that can cause levoscoliosis (spinal curve to the left) or dextroscoliosis (spinal curve to the right). You can have one or more curves of the spine of varying curvature, and each curve can involve a small or large area of the spine. Scoliosis can affect the cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar portions of the spine. 1 Levoscoliosis and Dextroscoliosis sylv1rob1 / Deposit Photos To diagnose the direction of your lateral spinal curve, your healthcare provider will determine the direction of the spinal column deviation from the midline of your body. In people with a straight spine, the column is generally located at the midline area. Levoscoliosis refers to a spinal curvature that bows out to the left. If the spinal column deviates to the left relative to the midline of the body, the curve would be diagnosed as levoscoliosis. Levoscoliosis and dextroscoliosis refer to curve direction in relation to the midline of your body. 2 Levoscoliosis — Curve Direction Diagram of a levoscoliosis. BSIP/UIG/Universal Images Group When you first look at the image above, the curve might appear as if it is going to the right side. This may be because the patient is side bending to the right as a result of the bones of the spine having moved away from the midline and towards the left. Because the spinal bones are left of center, the patient's spinal balance is interrupted, and the person tends to drop over, or side bend, to the right. In this way, the patient finds the best possible support for upright posture, given the fact that they are dealing with a levoscoliosis. Out of day in and day out posture and movement habits, the muscles on either side of the levoscoliosis may weaken and tighten, eventually keeping the posture in a side bend. So if you see the spine move to the left, as it does in this diagram and in the picture that follows, it could mean that the curve is going to the left. Over time, these muscle conditions may worsen, increasing both the degree of the levoscoliosis and the degree of the side bend. 3 Levoscoliosis Levoscoliosis. Genna Naccache/The Image Bank/Getty Images A levoscoliosis can appear as if a person is deliberately bending. In this instance of levoscoliosis, the curve is in the lower back. Experts suggest that left thoracic spine curves have a slightly higher tendency to be associated with diseases, while right thoracic curves are more likely to develop in the absence of disease. However, every case of scoliosis deserves a thorough assessment to determine the underlying cause. Issues like the age of scoliosis onset and other underlying medical conditions should help guide additional testing. 5 Scoliosis Treatments You Should Know About 4 Dextroscoliosis — Direction of the Curve Depictions of a skeleton with a straight spine and a spine with dextroscoliosis. SCIEPRO/Science Photo Library/Getty Images Dextroscoliosis is a spinal column that bows out to the patient's right. In a dextroscoliosis, the body tends to side bend to the left. Most of the time, a dextroscoliosis occurs in the thoracic spine. 5 Levoscoliosis and Dextroscoliosis X-Ray X Ray of dextroscoliosos on top and levoscoliosis on the bottom. NI QIN/E+/Getty Images An X-ray is an important part of diagnosing scoliosis and determining the location and extent of spine misalignment. In the X-ray above, there is an area of dextroscoliosis and an area of levoscoliosis. In this image of an X-ray, the thoracic spine (top part) shows a dextroscoliosis, and the lumbar spine (bottom part) shows a levoscoliosis. 5 Scoliosis Treatments You Should Know About Frequently Asked Questions What is levoscoliosis? Levoscoliosis is a type of scoliosis where the spine curve bows to the left. When the spine curves to the left, a person will often try to overcompensate by bending to the right. As a result, some muscles weaken, while others become tight and stiff. What is dextroscoliosis? Dextroscoliosis is a type of scoliosis where the spine curve bows to the right. Dextroscoliosis commonly occurs in the thoracic or middle spine. A person with dextroscoliosis will often lean to the left to compensate. Can you have both dextroscoliosis or levoscoliosis? Yes, it is possible to have more than one spinal curve with scoliosis. Dextrocoliosis is more common in the midback and levoscoliosis is more likely in the upper spine. This is known as combined scoliosis. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Shakil H, Iqbal ZA, Al-Ghadir AH. Scoliosis: Review of types of curves, etiological theories and conservative treatment. BMR. 2014;27(2):111-115. doi: 10.3233/bmr-130438 American Association of Neurological Sciences. Scoliosis. Northwell Health. What is scoliosis? Nemour Foundation/Kidshealth.org. What is a Scoliosis X-ray?